I had some interesting conversations with other non profits and techies alike. The city of Baltimore, because of its location to several metropolitan east coast cities, is flourishing in the downtown area. There are several hotels, residences and unique small businesses in the Fell’s Point and Inner Harbor areas. There is also great food.

When I walked into Walmart the other day to grocery shop, I finally got to see thier next big venture…Walmart Wireless. In my usual technical curiousity, I went to explore.

The plans are really streamlined and affordable for families. Unlimited talk and text plans are the only calling plans they offer and all of the plans run on T-mobile’s network.  The calling plans are very simple as well…$45.00  a month for the first line and $25.00 for each aditional line. A family of five can have cell phones for each family member for as little as $145.00 a month. The calling plans also do not require a contract and there are no hidden fees, according to walmart.com.

I think this is a good venture that will provide more options for the average consumer. It does make you wonder what they are going to come up with next…Walmart Autos maybe?

So I’ve had the rare opportunity of using both a Galaxy Tab 7 inch and an ipad2 on a regular basis in real world situations for the past two months. The question that I commonly get asked by my friends is which one do I like the most. I purchased the Galaxy Tab as my personal device even though I had an opportunity to buy an ipad and I later received the ipad 2 as a work device.

When comparing the two devices, it is important to note that they are both great technological advancements. I often hear evaluations of the two from a either or perspective, but they both have value depending on what the user wants. It is also important to note that the choice of which device to use also depends on your operating system preference. I have narrowed it down to four key areas: Productivity, Development, Entertainment, and Mobility.

The Galaxy Tab and the iPad2 share common apps for productivity such as Quick Office, Evernote, Springpad, Dropbox and Box.net. Documents are easier to view on the larger screen of the ipad2 sometimes and the keyboard is easier to use on the ipad2, but the documents can be managed easier on the Galaxy Tab because of better file management apps.

For development, the Galaxy Tab offers more apps such as Silveredit that allows you to code and run html,php, css code, etc. The ipad2 has some development apps, but not with the same level of control as the Galaxy Tab. When it comes to graphic design, the ipad2 offers a few more apps such as Adobe Ideas and ArtStudio. The ipad2 and the Galaxy Tab bothe share a Photoshop Express cloud storage app and Sketchbook Pro. The Galaxy Tab takes better images and takes great video although the ipad2 handles video better. The image quality on the ipad 2 is not that great. I have found video editing software for both although the ipad 2 offers iMovie and ReelDirector which are great apps. With some tweaking, you can get movie editing on to the Galaxy Tab.

Entertainment is one of the main reasons most consumers purchase a tablet and the reality is more developers have made entertainment applications available on the ipad2. Hulu Plus only offers an app for certain android models, while it provides a great interface for the ipad2. Netflix has fully operational apps for both devices. There are several developers that only offer a certain entertainment apps for ipad2 though, such as HGTV and some of the other cable and television show apps. The ipad2 handles music production better with apps such as Garage Band. The Galaxy Tab does have flash however, which is actually a huge plus. You can view several websites as they normally appear, except hulu does not work in the browser.

From a mobility standpoint, the Galaxy Tab can literally follow you anywhere you go, it is not as easy go carry the ipad2 everywhere, trust me I tried. I do keep my Galaxy Tab with me at all times (my wife does too).

So which device is better? It is a matter of what you will use it for. If you are an intense developer that wants to have great productivity apps, you may prefer the Galaxy Tab because of its portability and programming capabilities. The android system is open so it provides you with more options in this area. On the other hand if you simply need a device for productivity and entertainment, you may choose the ipad2. One thing I would suggest is that if you find a device you like, please go and try it before you buy it and don’t let a blogger tell you which one is best for you. If you like using the device, it is the best one for you! For instance, I wrote this article on my Galaxy Tab!

Stores are often viewed as permanent fixtures in communities.  Retailers will open up a new location and ride the wave untill consumer demand deminishes.  What if stores opened only when demand was at its peak?  What if stores only opened when demand for thier product was the highest?  Would it change the way business is conducted in America?

Apple’s recent “experiment” in Austin may serve as a litmus test for other companies. Apple figured out this concept and got it right at the recent SXSW conference. They somehow managed to combine a release date with an opportunity to engage with their primary market at the same time. At the corner of 6th and Congress in downtown Austin, Apple opened a store just for the conference equipped with their full product line and an ample supply of the recently launched ipad2.

This was brilliant! They sold out of ipad 2s in the first three days and actually had to bring in more to meet the demand of conference participants.  When you combine obe of the largest technology conferences in the world with gadgets for sale, you will make money.  Samsung and Motorola need to pay attention to Apples’s marketing.  Sometimes superior marketing will override a superior product!

Jobs has a way of bringing a product to market like a preacher on Sunday morning delivers his message poetically to parishioners that are intently listening. Apple has become a modern day religion of sorts where individuals feel compelled to stay loyal to them and spend precious hours of their lives in lines waiting for their next fix. The products delivered by Apple seem to set trends instead of follow them and even individuals that vow to never buy one of their products somehow seem to. Can the Aggie professors be right?

As I write some of this article on my ipod touch it makes me wonder…Am I a member of the church of Apple? Prof. Heidi Campbell of Texas A&M University had a valid point when she referred to the loyalty of Apple as “implicit religion”. If Apple is the new tech religion, their competitors need to take notice and build their own denominations based on Apple’s success. Until they do, Pastor Jobs will keep stealing their members by delivering his powerful message one product at a time.

You see, he represents a company called Clear (I am in no way affiliated with Clear, this article represents my opinion).  Clear, as James eloquently explained, provides 4g speed mobile broadband that is affordable and unlimited.  For only $55.00 a month, you can get two wireless broadband modems or a combination of thier products.  There is a catch however, clear is a new company, so it may not be in your city yet.  For more information, visit Clear.com.   I believe this is a product worth looking at if you are looking for an affordable wireless solution as a small business owner.

This made me wonder about other inventions that have become a part of business, popular culture and family entertainment, even though they did not exist in the 90s. Here is a list of innovations we believe have changed the way we interact all created in the first decade of the 21st century.

1. The iPod (launched 2003)
Steve Jobs is a genius…the iPod literally revolutionized the way we listen to music on the go. It became the “walkman” of the 21st century. In an effort to embarrass their competitors even more (such as the Zune for instance), they launched better models along the way with mobile media capabilities. The final morph of the ipod became the ipod touch. A WiFi enabled mp3 player, media player and revolutionary application housing machine. “There’s an app for that” is the new reality. The ipod has over 70% of the market and many companies have made lots of money simply by producing ipod apps. They didn’t stop there….

2. The iPhone (launched 2007)
Steve Jobs really is a genius…No one ever thought that an ipod could actually become a telephone as well. Steve Jobs and Apple did. This phone can do everything. It was such a great idea, as readers you already know about it and you are probably reading this article on one!

3. The Nintendo Wii (launched 2006)
The Playstation was the biggest thing since sliced bread when it came out and then Nintendo, in an effort to be competitive and regain market share, went to the woodshed and came out with the greatest family gaming system ever created. The Wii’s ability to mix virtual reality with reality through interactive gaming is unparalleled. Every family member participates in the Wii experience. Their market share is estimated to be between 40% to 50 % of the market. “Wii would like to play!”

4. Netbooks (launched 2007)
It all started with a valiant effort by an organization called One Laptop per Child to provide technology to developing countries through the use of a small laptop called the XO-1 laptop. They pioneered the idea of affordable small computers in my opinion.

Asus decided to offer an inexpensive small laptop for all consumers and started with the EeePc running the linux operating system. They sold this computer for under $400. It sold so well they added a windows version and then every other computer company jumped into the market. Could this be the first disposable laptop since you can get some now for around $325.00.

5. Skype (launched 2003)
Skype changed the way everyone viewed voice over IP technology. They added a chat function and made it free for everyone to use. The free version of Skype includes free long distance to any computer in the world with Skype, an ability to talk using a webcam on both sides of a call allowing individuals to see who they are talking to, and conferencing with multiple users. Skype also added some paid features that allow for an individual to have a phone number and make and receive calls from their computer. Major mobile phone carriers are offering VOIP services, but Skype’s technology is proprietary and closed source. Their longevity is often questioned.

6. Sirius/XM Satellite Radio (launched 2002)
Cable television has been a coveted luxury for the average consumer for years. People are willing to pay a premium every month for extra channels. Could this translate to radio? It did and it became so big that major car companies started offering it as a luxury option. Why not listen to exactly what you want to listen to all the time?

7. Hulu.com (launched 2007)
Hulu provides legal copies of tv shows and movies online all the time for free! There is a Hulu desktop application that may change the way we watch TV. If you missed your favorite show, you can visit Hulu.com and see an index with several episodes. Hulu is a joint venture between a private equity investment firm, Hulu employees, and several networks including NBC Universal (General Electric), Fox Entertainment Group (NewsCorp) ,and ABC (Walt Disney). Hulu is made in the USA and only offered in the USA currently. This is one of my favorite websites. They also offer classic shows that are no longer on TV in addition to the growing selection of movies.

8. The Redbox DVD vending machine (launched 2004)
You can purchase candy from a vending machine. You can purchase soda from a vending machine. There are vending machines for almost everything you can imagine. Why not offer DVD rentals from one? Redbox DVD rental machines are now everywhere. They are conveniently located in WalMart, at Walgreen’s, McDonalds and other places. How have they begun to trump the competition? It only cost a dollar to rent movies and new releases are added every Tuesday. I haven’t been back to Blockbuster, Hollywood video or used Netflix since I discovered these Redbox rental machines. There are other DVD kiosk renting companies, but Redbox is the leader of the pack. I like the idea that once you rent a movie, you can return it to any Redbox!

Which invention on this list do you think had the most impact in the first decade of the 21st century? Write a comment and let us know…

The Nintendo DS (handheld game system) was very successful, often outselling the Playstation Portable game system, but they were losing in the game console  market.   Nintendo once owned this market until Sony entered the picture.

The team worked hard to create new technology. Nintendo engineered the best interactive game system ever to retaliate.  Enter the brilliantly designed Nintendo Wii.

This console bridged the gap between virtual reality and true reality by providing controllers that actually allowed for the game to be truly interactive.  Anticipation of the Wii was overwhelming.  Nintendo took the holiday season by storm in 2006, selling out in stores across the country. Nintendo was back on top and dominated the market for three years. Even though it was the highest priced console on the market, it sold in staggering numbers.

Now the tide is beginning to turn again for Nintendo.  Their sales numbers are falling dramatically and they are scrambling to find ways to recover.  The third quarter was not good for  them.  The economy seems to have effected the Wii’s sales.  If there is any indication of a dwindling economy, the Nintendo Wii losing sales can serve as a gauge.

They are not expected to lower the price on the console although their competitor Sony has done so.  I believe that Nintendo will still do well this holiday season with the Wii however.  They have many games, such as Wii sports, that are still in high demand.

The iPhone is more than a telephone and a multi media hand held device, it represents the best in innovation. The iPhone changed the world of mobile phones by combining interactivity and the ability to perform many office functions on the go. One of the best qualities of the iPhone has been the touch screen. This technology has allowed for the iPhone to create an interactive experience for its users. This in itself has been attractive to business owners, including myself. I never had the opportunity to own one however because it is an AT&T wireless exclusive product.

I was jealous, envious, and frustrated that everyone else could experience the latest in technology but I was unable to. These feelings have subsided since my acquisition of the Blackberry Storm. Blackberry telephones have been highly regarded as the business phone for executives and individuals on the go. They were the first devices giving users access to email on the go and they kinda set the standard. Blackberry has lacked the entertainment component of other phones however. iPhone came on the scene and began to gather marketshare because of this. The iPhone became a combination of the blackberry model and the mobile media player (which Apple also revolutionized).

I’ve always owned a smart phone of some sort from windows mobile and palm devices to Blackberrys. The blackberry has been my phone of choice for the past three years because of the ease of use and the way it allowed me to stay connected away from the office. The iPhone almost made me switch platforms. I believe RIM listened to their users and realized they had to make changes to keep customers on their platform.

Enter the Blackberry Storm…How is the Blackberry Storm going to take the marketshare back? The Storm combines the typical business functionality blackberry is known for, but also takes the iPhone model of entertainment and interactivity into account. Seriously, who would have ever imagined a touch screen blackberry! Although there are more developers and applications for the iPhone, the Storm allows for the installation of some of the best applications iPhone has to offer, such as Pandora.

The iPhone still has the upperhand in the area of applications, but I personally believe as an all around business phone, more people are going to consider the Storm, especially dedicated Blackberry users. There is a complaint that the iPhone has WIFI and the Storm doesn’t, but the new model of the Storm will have it included. I have mixed feelings on WIFI on a cell phone, after all it is a mobile phone!

All in all the Storm will become the best competition for the iPhone. Many believe the Palm Pre should be in this argument, but I do not believe it will have the longevity of the iPhone or the Storm because they are built on reliable brands with better innovative ideas. As more applications become compatible with the Storm, many individuals may switch back from iPhones to Blackberry.

Many Hybrid vehicle engines represent a combination of electric components and traditional gas engine components. A lot of hybrids are actually still gas powered vehicles with an electric option. Although these vehicles greatly reduce the need for foreign oil, they do not end that need. There is a balance between what is environmentally conscious and what is important to the American economy.

What are the alternatives? Natural gas represents some of the best things hybrid vehicles have to offer with the reduction of American dependency on foreign oil. According to NaturalGas.org,”

Natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels. Composed primarily of methane, the main products of the combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide and water vapor, the same compounds we exhale when we breathe. Coal and oil are composed of much more complex molecules, with a higher carbon ratio and higher nitrogen and sulfur contents. This means that when combusted, coal and oil release higher levels of harmful emissions, including a higher ratio of carbon emissions, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Coal and fuel oil also release ash particles into the environment, substances that do not burn but instead are carried into the atmosphere and contribute to pollution. The combustion of natural gas, on the other hand, releases very small amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, virtually no ash or particulate matter, and lower levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other reactive hydrocarbons.”

Does natural gas actually represent innovation and self sufficiency for the future of the American auto industry? Traditional gas (found at gas stations) is actually made from crude oil (petroleum). America only contains roughly 3% of the world’s oil reserves according to most sources. Americans consume however 25% of the world’s oil. Natural gas is not a renewable resource, but America contains many more natural gas reserves in the ground than crude oil. Estimates by the Energy Information Administration suggest there are 283 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the ground in America.

Hybrid vehicles represent great innovation, but natural gas vehicles may provide us with more clean options for transportation in this country. Natural gas is an alternative all around energy source. Why aren’t more people exploring ways to use this resource? Good question!